Tampa, FL October 30, 2009 - The Drew Park Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) has won the Best Management Program/Creative Partnership Award from the Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA) for its “Drew Park Adult Use Enforcement Program.” It is one of 12 top redevelopment projects, programs and representatives recognized by FRA for outstanding achievements in community improvement.
The Adult Use Enforcement Program, co-produced by the Drew Park CRA and the Tampa Police Department (TPD), has earned the state’s top honor for the development of an enhanced enforcement plan to achieve compliance with City codes from adult use businesses in the area.
“I am truly proud of our team’s ongoing effort and commitment to this program and grateful for FRA’s recognition,” said Jeanette LaRussa Fenton, City of Tampa urban development manager. “The Adult Use Enforcement Program has had an overwhelmingly positive effect in the community and improved the quality-of-life in Drew Park.”
During the initial phase of the program, May through November 2008, all nine of the non-regulated adult establishments were closed and illegal activities at regulated establishments were reduced. According to Fenton, the positive impact of the program has made the area more attractive for potential redevelopment and establishment of legitimate businesses.
“I applaud this year’s winners and all the leaders and representatives who have dedicated time and energy to invigorate their communities with knowledge and creativity through redevelopment,” said FRA President J. Gary Rogers, executive director of the City of Lauderdale Lakes Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) in Broward County. “This has been a challenging year and I am proud to recognize our members for their commitment to success. Redevelopment is a powerful economic engine and an important key to our state’s economic recovery.”
Each year, FRA honors redevelopment leaders and CRAs for exemplary projects and programs in Florida. There are 12 awards presented, including the Roy F. Kenzie Awards which honor the best in Florida redevelopment and the President’s Award that recognizes the top project of the year. The recipients will be honored at an awards dinner during the FRA Annual Conference on Oct. 29 in Orlando.
The Florida Redevelopment Association is “committed to building better communities in Florida,” said Rogers. Founded in 1974, FRA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting Florida professionals and volunteers in revitalizing their communities. FRA’s mission is to provide a forum for its more than 300 members to share knowledge and common experiences regarding redevelopment opportunities and issues, encourage adoption of legal and financial tools and programs favorable to community redevelopment and serve as a statewide clearinghouse for redevelopment information.
For more information about the awards program or the Florida Redevelopment Association, contact Carol Westmoreland, executive director, at (850) 224-6779 or visit www.redevelopment.net.
The above notice is archived content and may contain information that is no longer valid. This includes URL's that were valid when originally published, but may now link to sites or pages that no longer exist.
